Daytona Beach 2022 annual State of the City Address.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News 

The City of Daytona Beach held its annual State of the City Address on Wednesday, January 19, at City Hall, where Mayor Derrick Henry reviewed the accomplishments, the city met throughout 2021.

2021 was a year of acceleration in Daytona Beach, with the city on the incline thanks to its great residents, who interact with city staff and elected officials, and great employees who help address resident concerns. 

“I am a blessed and fortunate man, and I am honored to serve as mayor as what I view as one of the greatest cities in the world,” said Mayor Henry during the address. “Together we will continue to accelerate in 2022.”

Many transformational events took place throughout Daytona Beach in 2021, including the appointment of Derrick Feacher, as the new City Manager who has brought optimism and a renewed energy to the city, prioritizing residents, flexible and affordable housing options, and a new City Ordinance that was implemented in October 2021. The new Ordinance now makes it illegal to discriminate against a person in their ability to obtain housing due to a persons' lawfully derived income source for rental payment. 

“Our COVID-19 response in Daytona Beach is something we should all be proud of,” said Mayor Henry. “We were the first city in Volusia County to offer vaccines and have continuously partnered with Family Health Source to provide both vaccine and testing sites in underserved areas.” 

Daytona Beach officials implemented a vigorous program that pushes students further in their learning with the Mayor’s Multiplication Boot Camp. Due to its success, the city has secured a $15 thousand grant to continue the program in 2022. 

The population of Daytona Beach went up since the 2010 census by twenty percent, and with all growth comes concerns of whether city officials are responsible for handling issues that come with it. Daytona Beach Officials will be working hard in 2022 to work on the growth and congestion along the LPGA corridor, revitalizing the Mainstreet area, and Mayor Henry will bring the idea of adding Vacation Rentals to the Surfside Community to the City Commission for consideration. 

“It is important that we expand options and opportunities of what people can experience when they come to Daytona Beach,” said Mayor Henry. “Much has been accomplished in 2021, and I look forward to leading and helping us meet the challenges for 2022.”